Konawaena’s Rodney Torres and Melissa Simon have been tearing up the lanes in Kona and Hilo while leading Big Island Interscholastic Federation bowlers in scoring average through the first month of the regular season.
Konawaena’s Rodney Torres and Melissa Simon have been tearing up the lanes in Kona and Hilo while leading Big Island Interscholastic Federation bowlers in scoring average through the first month of the regular season.
Torres, a senior, has rolled 13 games and is averaging 195.23 pins per game, knocking down 2,538 pins to lead the league in boys scoring.
Wildcats teammate Tyler Hashimoto is second with a 186.71 average, with 2,614 total pins in 14 games.
Kealakehe’s Harley Jarvis is third with a 182.75 average, with 2,924 total pins in 16 games. Rounding out the top five are Konawaena’s Stefan Kimura (179.14, 14 games) and Waiakea’s John Kaipo (178.86, 14 games).
“Rodney has matured a lot over his career,” Konawaena boys coach Clyde Takafuji said. “He’s more focused on what he is doing and not letting his emotions get to him. He’s more relaxed, and it’s showing in his consistency.”
Last year, Torres turned in the best series of the season, bowling a 748 total with a high game of 256.
“He had a fantastic series last year but struggled some with his consistency,” Takafuji said. “This year, he’s been on his game and has a chance to win the BIIF individual title. He’s in a group with Tyler (Hashimoto), Harley (Jarvis) and John (Kaipo) — each of them has a great shot at winning the league title because they’re so consistent.”
Takafuji has an experienced squad with four seniors — Torres, Hashimoto, Quintin Ikeno and Conrad Hildebrand — and a junior, Stefan Kimura, in the starting rotation.
“I’m very proud of this team,” Takafuji said. “Every four years a coach rebuilds, and these guys have been with me all that time. They’ve come to the point where they can compete against anyone in the league. We’re 80 percent of the way finished with the regular season. Then we have the individual championships and the team playoffs. We’re excited and will try to finish the season strong.”
Simon, a senior, leads BIIF girls with an impressive 176.28 average, with 3,173 total pins in 18 games.
Hilo’s Briahna Brooks is second with a 172.23 average, with 2,239 total pins in 13 games. Konawaena’s Madison Staup is third with a 169.94 ppg average and 2,889 total pins in 17 games.
Rounding out the top five are Hilo’s Kylie Fujiyoshi (167.38 ppg, 13 games) and Kealakehe’s Tiffany Kurozawa (166.64 ppg, 14 games).
“Melissa (Simon) has only been bowling for two years, but she’s a terrific athlete,” Takafuji said, noting she also plays basketball.
“She throws a straight ball and makes it work. She’s very consistent and when she doesn’t strike, she picks up most of her spares. In bowling, spares will keep you in the game and strikes will win it.”
Rounding out the boys top 10 (13 games or more) are: 6. Conrad Hildebrand, Konawaena, 170.79, 14 games; 7. Davin Yagi, Hilo, 168.41, 17; 8. Quentin Ikeno, Konawaena, 168.38, 13; 9. Tevin Nakashima, Waiakea, 167.50, 14; and 10. Kendrick Dacayanan, Hilo 166.71, 17.
Rounding out the girls top 10 (13 games or more) are: 6. Mika Parish, Kealakehe, 159.23, 13 games; 7. Sarah Albrecht, Konawaena, 156.53, 17; 8. Jordan Pond, Konawaena, 152.43, 14; 9. Chelsea Mitsuda, Waiakea, 150.43, 14; 10. Kayla Okimoto, 146.06, 16.
League statistics are provided by St. Joseph athletic director Chloe Thurston, the BIIF bowling coordinator.
BIIF action continues today at Hilo Lanes. At 10 a.m., it’s St. Joseph vs. Konawaena, Kamehameha-Hawaii vs. Keaau and Pahoa vs. Kealakehe. At 1 p.m., it’s St. Joseph vs. Waiakea, Kamehameha vs. Konawaena and Ka‘u vs. Kealakehe.